i just have to clarify ..
1. you said it sounds harsh when recorded.. how about when not recording? does it sound clean? meaning the harsh sound can be from recording stuff.. if the sound is harsh "live" of course it will sound that way when recorded..
2. does your chord sound clean when strummed once? .. cos if you dont press the strings with right amount of pressure it will sound "harsh" even with just a single brush of strum
press your finger as close to the center of the fret or closer fretwire, and put enough pressure, dont press too hard
get a Medium pick, slant it and brush your way downward stroke, and dont let the pick get "in" the string, slant the pick the other way when strumming upstroke,
dont strum too hard unless you want loud sound
strum in front of the soundhole, unless you want a twangy "harsh" sound, then strum closer to the bridge
hope this helps..